The awarding of the 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry recognized a fundamental breakthrough in materials science, honoring the pioneering research of Susumu Kitagawa, Richard Robson, and Omar M. Yaghi. These three distinguished scientists were jointly awarded the prize for their development of Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs). MOFs represent a revolutionary class of materials that open new frontiers in controlling matter at the nanoscale. Structurally, MOFs are remarkable molecular constructions defined by extensive internal voids. These characteristics enable them to selectively capture, retain, and release gases and other chemical compounds. Functioning effectively as “molecular sponges,” these structures boast an enormous internal surface area, making them indispensable tools for complex separation and storage challenges.
The groundwork for this field was established by Richard Robson, who, in 1989, synthesized the first ordered crystalline structures by linking copper ions with four-armed organic molecules. However, these initial prototypes lacked the necessary robustness and were prone to collapse. The critical turning point occurred between 1992 and 2003, when Susumu Kitagawa and Omar M. Yaghi successfully stabilized these inherently fragile architectures. Their central achievement was demonstrating that gases could move freely into and out of the frameworks, confirming their flexibility and the potential for precise tuning through deliberate design. Professor Kitagawa, representing Kyoto University, and Professor Yaghi, affiliated with the University of California, Berkeley, alongside Professor Robson from the University of Melbourne, devised the methodologies that transformed MOFs into practical, applicable materials. A notable example is MOF-5, created in Professor Yaghi’s laboratory, which is distinguished by its exceptionally large pore volume and high degree of stability.
The Nobel Committee emphasized that these structures unlock previously unimaginable possibilities for creating materials with tailored functions. Committee Chairman Heiner Linke likened the potential of MOFs to “Hermione's handbag” from the Harry Potter series—capable of containing a vast quantity of gas within a tiny volume. The collective contribution of these researchers provides chemists with powerful instruments to tackle pressing global issues. The range of practical applications for MOFs is truly expansive. They are foundational to the advancement of “green” technologies, spanning from the efficient extraction of moisture from sparse desert air (such as MOF-303, which can harvest water vapor at night) to carbon dioxide capture and the safe storage of hydrogen. Furthermore, these materials hold promise for the separation of light hydrocarbon mixtures, a crucial process for the oil and gas industry, as well as for drug delivery systems and even slowing the ripening of fruit by absorbing ethylene gas. Research also indicates their utility in catalysis and as highly sensitive sensors.
Despite this scientific triumph, engineering hurdles remain before widespread implementation can be achieved, particularly concerning ensuring long-term durability during absorption/release cycles and scaling up production. Nevertheless, some researchers believe these frameworks are poised to become the materials of the 21st century, offering solutions for combating climate change through carbon capture and storage technologies. The laureates shared the prize money, amounting to 11 million Swedish kronor. Their reactions to the high honor were characteristically modest: Kitagawa expressed surprise, Robson noted the difficulties associated with the subsequent commotion, and Yaghi concisely remarked that such a moment is impossible to prepare for. Their collaborative work has not only fundamentally transformed materials chemistry but has also provided humanity with a potent lever for shaping a more sustainable future, where even the apparent emptiness within atomic structures becomes a source of immense opportunity.